How To Paint Over Gloss Paint?

Randy Charles
Professional Painter

Randy Charles is the owner of PaintCentric.com, a website dedicated to providing information, tips, tricks, and news about all things paint. With over 10 years...Read more

Painting gloss paint? No sweat! The correct approach and way of doing it can be a fun DIY home project.

Firstly, get the surface ready. Clean it, fill any cracks or holes in the wall, and smooth the gloss. Do all this, and you can easily paint over the gloss paint. The result? A stunning finish!

Paint Over Gloss Paint
Paint over gloss paint

Clean the surface

Clean the surface before you start painting over any gloss paint. Do not use abrasive cleaners, like scrubbing agents or strong detergents, as they might damage the existing coat. Wipe down the area with a cloth dampened with a gentle all-purpose cleaner. Rinse the cloth with warm water and dry off the surface.

If there are any peeling or chipped areas of paint, lightly sand these sections. Make sure to remove all dust particles before you begin painting.

Sand the surface

Sanding is the most crucial part of prepping painted walls for a new coat of paint. The objective is to make a consistent, smooth finish that helps the paint stick and ensures a lasting outcome. Sand before any other process, e.g. cleaning or priming.

Decide what kind of finish you have: glossy or flat. Glossy finishes are high-gloss, semi-gloss, and satin. Flat finishes include eggshells and matte. Flat finishes need light sanding with fine steel wool or fine-grit sandpaper to remove any small bumps or issues. On glossy surfaces, start with medium grit to scuff up the old shine. Use even strokes away from the direction of the gloss. Then switch to finer grits until your wall has an even texture – normally, 120 to 250-grit paper should do the trick.

Vacuum off all dust particles from the wall with a vacuum cleaner. Wipe down with a damp cloth or sponge applicator. Paint residue left will affect the durability and performance of your new paint job.

Apply a primer

Are you painting over gloss paint? It would be best if you used an adhesion-promoting primer first. Latex is best, but use oil-based if there are grease or wax stains. Before starting, remove dirt, dust, and old wax. To prep the surface, lightly sand. Then use a damp cloth, dry cloth, and vacuum.

When ready, brush or roll on primer in two thin coats. Finally, expand to your chosen paint colour.

Choosing the Right Paint

Gloss Paint
Gloss paint

Painting on gloss paint can be tough. The glossy look can cause the new paint to flake off easily. That’s why picking the right paint for the job is important. The right paint will give you a better finish and simplify your task.

Here we’ll talk about the types of paint that are great for painting on gloss paint:

Select a paint that is suitable for the surface

Select paint that is suitable for where you are painting. Gloss paint is better than matt or eggshell because it is more durable and waterproof. Think about the environment – will it be near water or steam?

Prepare the surface before painting. Sand down lumps, clean dirt with a cloth or vacuum, and fill cracks and holes with filler. Let it dry before painting.

Choose a primer for the paint. Oil-based primers work best on glossy surfaces. Water-based primers can be used, depending on their properties. Let the primer dry before painting.

Steps like tearing back paper, spot quotes, etc. must bedust-freee for a good finish.

Choose a paint that is compatible with the existing paint

It is important to pick one compatible with the existing paint when selecting paint. Different things must be considered: the finish of the current coat, its age, and any other coatings.

Paints come in various finishes—these range from flat to glossy. Generally, a higher sheen should be chosen if the existing paint is glossy. The label of the can should be checked for application instructions and product compatibility.

A primer might be needed before the new finish coat. Additionally, special preparation may be required, like washing the surfaces with sugar soap or using Zinsser’s B-I-N Shellac Primer Sealer. These processes must be completed before applying the final paint coating for proper adhesion.

Application

Painting over gloss paint is easy. Yet, one must comprehend the correct way to do it before starting. Preparation is necessary for getting the best outcome. This involves cleaning and sanding the surface, ensuring the area is free of dirt and debris, and applying primer before the paint.

Let’s take a closer look at the application process:

Apply the paint in thin coats

Apply Gloss Paint
Apply gloss paint

Apply the paint in thin coats to better control its look and texture. Also, this prevents dripping. Use a primer before painting over gloss paint on the first topcoat. This helps with adhesion and avoids cracking, bubbling, and chipping. Use two thin coats of oil-based primer for best results on glossy surfaces.

Once the oil-based primer is ready, you can move on to the topcoat. Again, use multiple thin coats instead of one thick one to avoid dripping or running. Once you have the desired coverage and consistency with the topcoat, it’s time to clean up!

  • If you use brush-on latex paints, clean brushes and rollers immediately after use with detergent and warm water. Remove all excess paint from them, and store them away from open flame sources.
  • For leftover latex wall paint cans, keep lids tightly sealed when not used. This ensures that your wall paints do not dry out and become unusable due to prolonged air exposure.

Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

Gloss paint is ready to be worked on! But, first things first. I have got to get it clean. Use a soft cloth and warm soapy water to eliminate dirt or grime. Rinse with cool water and dry.

Sanding is a must before applying the chosen finished product. This will help it adhere properly. After sanding, clean with a damp cloth and dry.

Now it’s time to start painting. Keep these tips in mind:

  • Paint in three feet long sections.
  • Back and forth across each section.
  • And don’t forget to let each coat dry before applying the next one. This will help create better coverage and prevent any runs or drips.

Sand between coats for a smoother finish

You can paint over gloss paint for a smooth finish. Before starting, prep the surface. Sand down any glossy areas and ensure it’s free from dust and debris. Then apply a layer of quality primer over the glossy spots. Make sure to select primer for direct application over gloss paint.

Wait for the primer to dry. Begin adding new coats of paint. To get a smoother finish, lightly sand between each coat with fine-grit paper. This will give you a more consistent finish than adding multiple layers without sanding. Additionally, it ensures proper adhesion and longevity of the new paint over the old base coat of gloss paint.

Finishing Touches

Paint Over Gloss Paint
Paint over gloss paint

Painting over gloss paint can be intimidating. But, with the right prep and technique, success is possible. Remember: painting over gloss paint needs extra steps.

Here’s what you need to do before you start:

  • These are the finishing touches for painting over gloss paint.

Apply a sealant to protect the paint.

Sealant is the final step to paint over semi-gloss or gloss paint. This shields the base and prevents the paint from scratching, chipping, and bending. Many sealants are available, depending on the material you’re painting and the finish you want.

Oil-based sealants are great for safeguarding high-traffic surfaces from scratches and wear. They need to be stirred well before application, as they tend to separate easily in their can. These sealants give a glossy finish and may alter the colour of certain materials. Brushes, sponges, cloths or rollers are perfect for applying on drywall, woodwork, metal, stucco, and terrazzo. To get a glossy finish, you may need several layers of coating.

Acrylic latex sealants are ideal info getting a matte finish on steel doors or shutters. They create a sturdy, protective coating that won’t yellow with time or UV light. First, clean the area with mineral spirits to eliminate dirt and dust, then apply with a brush or roller in thin coats until full coverage is achieved. Depending on the material, it might need two or three layers of sealant for complete coverage with good adhesion.

Add a final coat of wax for extra protection.

Wax is a great way to protect your freshly painted surfaces. It gives off a glossy look and shields against any staining or damage over time. There are various types of wax available for different materials. Non-toxic wax sticks and paste versions are great for wood surfaces, while beeswax works on furniture and cabinetry. Specialized waxes also exist for metal objects.

To apply the wax, start by using fine sandpaper to get rid of any dust or debris. Then, wipe down the surface with a damp cloth. Allow it to dry completely before buffing the wax in circular motions. If any patches need more polish, remove them with another cloth. When finished, you should have a nice shiny finish!

Clean-up

Before you go painting, you’ve got to do some clean-up. Remove oils, dirt and dust. The best way? Use a degreaser. Then, get a damp cloth and wipe down the walls. When that’s done, you can start preparing the surface for painting.

Clean all brushes and rollers with warm soapy water

Before you paint, clean your brushes and rollers. Don’t let dust or dirt get on the walls or paint.

  • Soak brushes in warm, soapy water for 30 minutes. Use a comb to remove stubborn dirt from the bristles. Rinse with warm water to remove soap residue.
  • Dip rollers in soapy water. Squeeze out most of the water. Press out excess moisture. Lay flat on a cardboard or cloth towel to dry. They’re ready for painting when dry.

Dispose of any leftover paint safely.

Before you finish a painting job, remove any remaining paint correctly. Can’t you use it for another project? Please don’t put it in the normal garbage or down the drain! Hazardous chemicals are in some paints. Call your waste management department to learn how to safely dispose of oil-based paints, stains, and other hazardous materials near you. Return unused containers to the store or recycling centre for correct disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you paint over gloss paint without sanding?

It is not recommended to paint over gloss paint without sanding, as the new coat of paint may not adhere properly. Sanding the surface will create a rough texture that will help the paint bond better.

What kind of primer should be used when painting gloss paint?

Using a high-quality bonding primer when painting gloss paint is important. This primer is specifically designed to adhere to glossy surfaces and create a smooth, even base for the new coat of paint.

How many coats of paint should be applied when painting over gloss paint?

Applying at least two coats of paint when painting over gloss paint is typically recommended. This will ensure proper coverage and achieve the desired finish.

Can you use water-based paint over gloss paint?

Yes, you can use water-based paint over gloss paint. However, using a bonding primer and ensuring the surface is properly prepared to ensure good adhesion is important.

Should the gloss paint be removed before painting?

Removing the gloss paint before painting is unnecessary, but the surface should be properly prepared. This includes cleaning and sanding the surface to create a good bonding surface for the new coat of paint.

Can you use a roller to paint over gloss paint?

Yes, you can use a roller to paint over gloss paint. However, it is important to use a high-quality roller specifically designed with gloss paint to achieve the best results.

Randy CharlesProfessional Painter

Randy Charles is the owner of PaintCentric.com, a website dedicated to providing information, tips, tricks, and news about all things paint. With over 10 years of experience in the painting industry, Randy has become an expert in the field and is passionate about helping others learn more about painting. He has written numerous articles on the subject and is committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information to his readers.

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